Tuesday 5 April 2016 10:34, UK
Former England Women's manager Hope Powell has joined the Professional Footballers' Association as the organisation's first female coach educator.
Powell - a former England international - spent 15 years in charge of the Lionesses after becoming the first ever full-time England Women's head coach in 1998.
In 2003, she became the first woman to gain the UEFA Pro License back, six years before guiding England to the final of the European Championships.
The 49-year-old was also head coach of the Great Britain women's football team that played at the London 2012 Olympics.
Powell joins an experienced team made up of 14 PFA regional coaches and will be responsible for delivering a variety of courses the South East of England.
"I am extremely pleased to be joining the PFA within the coaching department and keen to help develop the next generation of coaches in this country," Powell said.
"It's a great opportunity to work within the men's professional game and hopefully I can be a positive role model for future females who want to embark in a role as a coach educator within this field.
"Coach education is something I really enjoy, this is an area that I have been working on at FIFA and I am looking forward to carrying this on at home in England"
PFA Head of Coaching, Jim Hicks, added: "I am delighted that Hope has taken on the role as coach educator for the PFA. Her experience within the game is second to none and this will surely be of massive benefit to professional clubs in the London area.
"Her responsibilities will be to work with both male and female players who are PFA members within the professional game, making them better qualified and better equipped to become managers and coaches in the future.
"As one of the pioneers of women's football in this country, Hope has got a magnificent CV managing the national team for fifteen years and is hugely respected figure, she will be a great asset to the organisation."
